St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Spread Prediction 7/2

Game Summary

The St. Louis Cardinals will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 2, 2024, at 6:41 PM at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The Cardinals have had a strong season and are vying for a playoff spot, while the Pirates are in a rebuilding phase and have struggled to stay competitive. The Cardinals' powerful lineup, featuring stars like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, has been a key factor in their success. Meanwhile, the Pirates are looking to develop their young talent and build for the future. This game is an opportunity for the Cardinals to solidify their position in the standings and for the Pirates to showcase their potential against a top-tier team.

Odds and Betting Lines

Market	Odds
Over/Under	TBD
Spread	St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 (+100) / Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-120)
Moneyline	St. Louis Cardinals -122 / Pittsburgh Pirates +104

Pitching Probables

Pitcher	Team	W-L	ERA	Strikeouts
Jack Flaherty	St. Louis Cardinals	7-5	3.67	115
Mitch Keller	Pittsburgh Pirates	5-8	4.45	98

Team Previews

St. Louis Cardinals

Hitting: The Cardinals have one of the most potent lineups in MLB, with a team batting average of .265, ranking 6th in the league. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt have been consistent power threats, while Tommy Edman and Tyler O'Neill provide speed and versatility.

Relief Pitching: The Cardinals' bullpen has been reliable, with a collective ERA of 3.75. Closer Ryan Helsley has been lights out, converting 25 of 27 save opportunities.

Fielding: The Cardinals are one of the best defensive teams in baseball, with only 35 errors on the season, ranking 2nd in MLB. Their solid defense has been a key factor in their success.

Starting Pitchers: Jack Flaherty has been the ace of the staff, delivering strong performances and keeping the Cardinals in games. His ability to dominate opposing lineups and pitch deep into games has been crucial.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Hitting: The Pirates' lineup has struggled, with a team batting average of .240, ranking 25th in MLB. Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes have been the few bright spots in an otherwise lackluster offense.

Relief Pitching: The Pirates' bullpen has been inconsistent, with a collective ERA of 4.60. Closer David Bednar has been effective, but the middle relief has been unreliable.

Fielding: The Pirates have committed 55 errors this season, ranking 20th in MLB. Defensive lapses have been a common issue for the team.

Starting Pitchers: Mitch Keller has shown flashes of potential but has struggled with consistency. He will need to bring his best to compete with the Cardinals' potent lineup.

Projected Starting Lineups

#	St. Louis Cardinals	Pittsburgh Pirates
1	Tommy Edman, 2B	Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B
2	Dylan Carlson, CF	Oneil Cruz, SS
3	Paul Goldschmidt, 1B	Bryan Reynolds, CF
4	Nolan Arenado, 3B	Jack Suwinski, RF
5	Tyler O'Neill, LF	Andrew McCutchen, DH
6	Willson Contreras, C	Carlos Santana, 1B
7	Lars Nootbaar, RF	Ji Hwan Bae, 2B
8	Brendan Donovan, DH	Henry Davis, C
9	Paul DeJong, SS	Cal Mitchell, LF

Betting Trends

• Cardinals are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
• Pirates are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
• Cardinals are 5-2 in their last 7 road games.
• Pirates are 3-7 in their last 10 home games.
• Under is 7-3 in Cardinals' last 10 games.
• Over is 6-4 in Pirates' last 10 games.

Recent Games

St. Louis Cardinals	Opponent	Score	W/L
June 30	Cincinnati Reds	5-2	W
June 29	Cincinnati Reds	3-4	L
June 28	Cincinnati Reds	6-1	W
June 27	Miami Marlins	2-3	L
June 26	Miami Marlins	4-3	W

Pittsburgh Pirates	Opponent	Score	W/L
June 30	Milwaukee Brewers	3-5	L
June 29	Milwaukee Brewers	2-7	L
June 28	Milwaukee Brewers	5-3	W
June 27	San Diego Padres	1-4	L
June 26	San Diego Padres	6-8	L

Team Rankings

Category	St. Louis Cardinals	Pittsburgh Pirates
Hitting	6th	25th
Starting Pitching	12th	28th
Relief Pitching	15th	20th
Fielding	2nd	20th

Significant Betting Stats

• Cardinals are 8-2 in their last 10 games as favorites.
• Pirates are 5-15 in their last 20 games as underdogs.
• Jack Flaherty has a 3.20 ERA in away games this season.
• Mitch Keller has allowed 4+ earned runs in 3 of his last 5 starts.
• Under is 5-1 in Flaherty's last 6 starts.
• Cardinals are 4-1 in their last 5 games against right-handed starters.
• Pirates are 2-8 in their last 10 games against teams with a winning record.
• Under is 6-3 in Cardinals' last 9 games following a win.
• Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 road games against a team with a losing record.
• Pirates are 3-11 in their last 14 home games against a team with a winning record.

Prediction

The St. Louis Cardinals have a significant advantage in this matchup, with a stronger lineup, better pitching, and superior fielding. Jack Flaherty's consistency and the Cardinals' ability to perform on the road make them the clear favorites. The Pirates have struggled both offensively and defensively, and Mitch Keller has not been reliable. Expect the Cardinals to cover the spread and continue their push for the playoffs.